sulking agression

The child is five years old and challenges everthing you say.  An example of other behavior is a child is walking along and all of a sudden he pulls away from the family and starts walking alone in a cross between sulking and attitude.  If you call him he will ignore you and keep walking by himself.  
Today we went for a walk.  He wanted to bring his scooter and I said no let's collect leaves.  He tried to get his way and finally came without the scooter.  When we got to the park he started his attidtude and sulking walk with a mad look on his face, his arms swinging and walking away from me.  I called him and said let's collect leaves.  He continued his walk.  He then stopped and convinced me to go down the hill to a park.  He walked a bit and then turned and began walking back with the same attitude walk.  I kept walking with his three year old brother.
After a few minutes we turned back in the same direction as him.  I told his brother to run and catch up with him.  He was waiting around the corner and pused him down hitting and kicking him.  I ran up and I swatted his bottom twice.  I took his hand and walked him home crying hard.
This is not the first time this has happened.  I have swatted him once before.  I don't understand why he has this behavior.   It is breaking my heart.  I don;t know what to do.  I cannot let him continue in this behavior.  How do I handle this.  I don't want it to get worse.  Grandma

[91004]

Has he started kindergarden yet. My son is starting the same behavior and he just turned 5 and also started school. I think for my son it is the change with school also he knows brother gets to stay home and play and he can't.

[Natta1980]

Ahh all the control issues with the Kindergarten start



Just do not engage in power struggles - he wants to bring a scooter - good
He already gets told what to do all day long in Kindy - full day is a lot for a 5 year old, and then he probbaly gets homework as well. No time for free play.....


I just pick my battles....the less I fight, the less insentive he has to be oppositional

[91004]

Natta:


That is so true. I try so hard to let him come home and do what he wants. Like a small snack his choice, a dvd also his choice. I let him have his time for about an hour or so. Then I fix supper, we eat and do homework if we have it. Its the time for bath and I hear gah I know, so I say that wasn't nice and will say ughhhh and stomp up the steps. Or don't you think I know already. Mostly with me its the smart comments I get in return. I don't make him do alot. He does have to pick up his toys and put his plate up after supper. Typical things but still attitude is the word I am looking for and I have it worse me and his dad are divorced so it gets thrown in my face well dad don't punish me or anything.